The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-19
SANTA MARIA IN TRAsrEvERE.
The Titular Church of Cardinal James
Gibbons.

The TituIar Church of Cardinal james
Gibbons.
New York Times.
Not far from the northern side of the jamie
ulum, upon which stands the Church of St Peter
of Montorio, where repose the remains OF the
Baron of Duneannon, Hugh O'Neil, and Rod
erick O'Donnell. Earl of Tyrconnel, is the
titular church Of Cardinal James Gibbons.
Archbishopsof Baltimore. Santa Maria in Traste-
we're. This ancient edifce is beyond the Tiber,
in the strip of land environed by the Aurelian
wall and the swift flowing river. 1t is supposed
to be the first church consecrated to divine wor-
ship under the invocation of the Virgin, the
mother of God. "Prima AIDES Deiparae"
1t Is known as minor basilica, and had given
Cardinals title long before America was dis
covered It was founded as an oratory in the
third century st. Calixtus. Upon the site
stood, at the time Calixtus built his oratory, the
Temple Of Minerva. dedicated by Pompev after
his victories in Asia hospital for old soldiers
formerly stood where the church stands, and
was known to the Romans as Taberna Meritoria.
we'll of petroleum is said to have sprung mp
there in the year of the birth of our Savior,
and from which the church called 'Fons
OleI in some early ecclesiastical writings. 1t
was rebuilt by Julius |, in 1910, subsequently,
restored by John VII and Gregory Ii. AS it
now stands it was almost entirely erected in
1889 by Innocent II. The tribune, high altar,
and the mosaics OF this period. The statues
above the exterior balustrades are those of Saints
Calixtus. Cornelius, and Calepodus. Nicholas
reduced it to it's present FORM on the plans of
Barnadno Rossellini.
The mosaics of the facade represent the Vir-
gin and Child bearing offerings. They were be-
gun in the twelfth century, under Eugenius III,
and completed n the fourteenth century by
Pietro Capallini. There were several ancient
Inscriptions the walls under the portico chief
ly early Christian, most of which have been re-
moved to the Museum OF ST. John Laterean, but
they were replaced by copies pagan one re-
manned some years ago of an earlier period, and
- A. L
by menages-households-in ancient Rome. 1t
reads Marcus Cocceus Lib. Aug. Ambrosius
Prnpositus, Vestis Alba, Triumphalis Fecit
Nice Conjuei SuB cum qua vixit Amos xxxxv
diebas XII Sine ulla querala." That is to say:
Marcus was happily married, and lived with his
wife for 10 years and IL days. and never had a
spat"
Entering the church one is confronted with
twenty-five splendid granite columns, which di-
vide the nave from the aisles, and were evident
~ taken from edihces of classical times. They
are of different styles. some with Cornthian
capitals, the ma or part with Ionic. Many Of
| the latter have, either in the volutes the
flowers. small heads of Isis, Scraps and Harpro-
| crates. These columns support cornice, also
| ancient, Domenichino designed the gorgeous
| roof and painted ths assumption of
designed tho chapel of the Madonna di Strada
Capa on the right of the high altar. and began
| the graceful figure in fresco of child scattering
| flowers in one Of the vaultings of the latter;
| This chapel was restored by Cardinal York, the
| last OF the Stuarts who gave kings and queens to
| Scotland and kings to England for almost a
thousand years. This explains why the arms o1
| England are on the entrance.
| Among the celebrated persons buried in this
| church, and who have monuments therein are
| Giro Ferr the painter, and Giovanni Bottari
| the learned librarian of the Vatican. AMONG
/ the mont ments are those of Innocent II. Cardi
nails Silva, Attempts. Altergate. L. Condulmer
brother TO Eugene "; Altemps, Duke of Galese
Prince and An. Albani. Uncles of Clement XI
d'Alenson, brother OF Philip le Bel and of Cardi
nal Stefaneschi During the recent repairs o
| the spulchral urn in which were incosed the re
mains Of the two cardinals Campeggio was dis
covered, and has been removed to the portlco o
the church